Eromosele Ebhomele
Stakeholders in the Nigerian movie industry have met at the Lagos State House of Assembly for the second time in two weeks calling on the government for support to improve the industry.
Speaking at a stakeholders meeting facilitated by a member of the House, who is also a movie star, Desmond Elliot, the movie practitioners emphasised that there is need for the promulgation and enforcement of appropriate laws to galvanise development in the industry.
A member of the Assembly, Olusegun Olulade, who also attended the event at the Assembly premises, told the team that included top movie producers and actors that the House was willing to work with the practitioners to develop the industry.
Speaker of the House, Mudashiru Obasa, had earlier promised the stakeholders of the House openness and readiness to support their course.
Olulade, who expressed his passion for the industry, further noted that piracy is a criminal offence that must be checkmated since it is a common enemy for the players in the industry.
“Producers and marketers expect returns for their works; if the industry is doing well, everybody would want to be part of it.
“Nollywood is a very vital sector of our society that everybody must support. We will support you to end piracy,” Olulade said.
A producer and film maker, Lancelot Imasuen, emphasised that motion picture had benefitted the Lagos State Government immensely and that a place like Surulere in Lagos should further be made attractive as it houses Winnies Hotel, where actors always meet to unwind.
“Lagos State Government has not shown enough commitment to the development of the movies industry.
“Seventy-five percent of Nollywood films are made in the state, while 80 percent of the practitioners live in the state.
“A place can be designated for the industry in the state,” he said.
In his contribution, actor and film …Read More
Source:: PM Newspaper
